The greatest drummers of all time are musicians blessed with impeccable timing who are diligently studied by those who want to play like them. Still, I suppose that if you go by Spinal Tap standards, they’re the folks in whose biographies bizarre gardening accidents are mentioned as the cause of death.

I know for a fact that you simply could not have a good band without a good enough drummer, and could not have a great band without a great drummer. And while nowadays you can program the ideal beat, it’s not quite the same as witnessing a creative musician work his way around the beat.

Just who are the best at beating those skins? Who are the great contributors to the history of pop, rock or jazz? I’ve narrowed it down to 100 top drummers (and a few subs ready to intervene in case of any  Eric “Stumpy Joe” Childs incidents).

These are, in my opinion, the greatest 100 drummers of all time. These musicians represent numerous styles, come from many eras of music and are known for a variety of different techniques. They keep the beat and keep being legends.

The 100 Greatest Drummers of All Time

1. John Bonham (Led Zeppelin)

Yes, I know, it’s an obligatory mention. However, while John Bonham’s status as “world’s premier drummer” is rarely debated, there’s, in my book, a reason for it.

John Bonham didn’t just add jet fuel to the potent musical concoction created by Led Zeppelin. He wasn’t just the rock gold standard for drumming during the 1970s.

There are countless legends about him, such as the one about James Brown’s three drummers sitting around in wonder as to how a young Bonham could produce the sound that they were making on his own.

Ever since his sad demise and beyond, producers have been working on strategies to get their client to sound like Mr. Bonham. They’ll record in stairwells, add reverb to the drum, and ask modern drummers to hit as loud as they can.

Does it work? No, I don’t think it usually does. Bonham’s “hammer of the Gods” approach was surprisingly subtle. Listening to the intro for “When the Levee Breaks” or the creaky groove of “Since I’ve Been Loving You” should show just why he was the greatest.

2. Keith Moon (The Who)

Keith Moon is the Jimi Hendrix of drumming. Yes, he was a great drummer (albeit unpredictable and occasionally inconsistent). But, just as importantly, he made regular rock fans care about drumming because of how entertaining he made it look. I think that’s of great importance in itself!

Besides that, The Who is one of the few bands that belong to the Greatest Rock Bands of All Time club, where the rhythm section was, in fact, the lead section. He and John Entwistle gave the iconic songs by the British band their edge and forcefulness.

And while I can practically see Mr. Moon smiling each time a drummer takes an unnecessarily complex fill, there’s just nobody like him in my book.

3. Neil Peart (Rush)

Rock drummers have long battled each other based on their competency in playing Rush songs. Why? Neil Peart’s proficiency and inventiveness are qualities worth envying, I’m sure.

And while few prog-rock drummers are on par with the late Neil Peart, the Canadian musician was humble about his achievements.

Peart not only added fancy tricks to Rush’s music but also greatly contributed to it. The lyrics and concepts of the songs were his.

To my mind, Peart is the prime example of just what happens when creativity and discipline meet. I doubt that we’ll see anyone like him.

4. Ginger Baker (Cream)

Yeah, Ginger Baker was one of the first superstar drummers. Yes, he got a starring role in the first supergroup, Cream. But, to my mind, what makes Baker’s playing the most amazing is just how naturally it came to him.

In fact, I know how frustrated those who try to copy him feel. Baker is the equivalent of a world-class mathematician doing his work on flair alone.

Baker’s work outside of Cream is also worth checking out. And while personal charisma certainly helped make him a superstar, Baker’s ability is what continues to make him an incredibly important drummer.

5. Buddy Rich

Buddy Rich was to jazz drumming what Miles Davis was to trumpet playing. Rich was not only a band leader and important figgure in the world of jazz. He was, I think, a musician whose sheer skill made him interesting to casual music fans.

This crossover potential, of course, makes Rich routinely be name-checked as one of the finest drummers of all time.

Precise, powerful and highly technical, Rich’s talent has rightfully been recognised way past the life span of the Swing Era. And, were I to fail to mention him, I’d have a thousand drummers taking turns knocking on my door in perfect time.

6. Ian Paice (Deep Purple)

To my mind, Deep Purple‘s Ian Paice is the most underrated of all of the top drummers from the Golden Era of Rock n’ Roll. Yes, I know that he has played all this time in an extremely famous rock band. But does he get talked about as often as Ian Gillan? Is he as praised as Ritchie Blackmore? He should be!

Paice is a mix of perfect timing, powerful hitting and the ability to keep his spot over years and years. Modern drummers can always learn from him.

7. Ringo Starr (The Beatles)

I know the famous, unflattering John Lennon joke about his friend. Lennon once claimed that Ringo Starr couldn’t be the greatest drummer in the world because he wasn’t the best drummer in The Beatles.

Still, you can recognise nearly all songs by The Beatles based on Starr’s beats alone. That is, I think, a sensational achievement.

Besides being able to be the man in the room with John, Paul and George, Starr became a pop star on his own and still plays his hits together with ace musicians. I don’t think you can have this kind of list without Starr.

8. Gene Krupa

In the world of drumming Gene Krupa’s abilities are hold as golden standard. Blessed with near-perfect timing and great inventiveness, Krupa built up his skills to near Olympian levels.

Krupa’s style tended to blend rudiments faster and flashier than the majority of contemporaries. In fact, knowing the attention he received for his proficiency, Krupa never shied away from the limelight.

Introducing, practically, a new drum kit and the drum solo to the swing music of the time, Krupa was one of the first star percussionists and one of the greatest of all time.

9. Phil Collins (Genesis)

Phil Collins loved to drum just about as much as he loved to work. And while famously, I know, Collins became one of the world’s biggest pop stars, his drumming chops could’ve landed him a job with just about any big-name band.

He ended up in one of Britain’s finest prog-rock bands, Genesis. And while he blended singing, producing, and songwriting along with drumming ,it’s been moments like the famous drum fill used on “In the Air Tonight” that prove, in my opinion, that Collins is not just a technical drummer, but a musician capable of making the best choices for the songs he’s playing.

10. Charlie Watts (The Rolling Stones)

Charlie Watts would’ve preferred to be a graphic artist first and a jazz drummer second. None of those, fortunately, quite came through. Instead, Watts brought his suave playing and easy-going nature to the biggest rock n’ roll spectacle on Earth, The Rolling Stones.

I think people tend to underestimate how important Watts really was to The Stones. I think that you can, especially, hear him in those patented Stonesy grooves. Charlie Watts is one of the greatest drummers of all time.

11. Bill Ward (Black Sabbath)

Sheer power! This is what Bill Ward brought to Black Sabbath. Yet, I think, that it was when Sabbath was forced to replace him that his role in the band finally became apparent.

Ward held that thundering, minimalist sound of the band together. What it is that he does is hard to quantify. Just like the best guitarists of all time, it’s all in the subtle touch of the man himself.

12. Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix Experience)

Jimi Hendrix was the first guitar virtuoso in a rock band. But, in many ways, Mitch Mitchell, the man that he chose to sit behind the kit, was the first virtuoso drummer.

Mitchell was capable of serving the songs and of keeping the tempo during Hendrix’s extended solos. But he was able to add his flourishes to the mix. Mitchell was one of the first drummers whom kids envied and wished to become. I think this earns him a place on the list of the top drummers of all time.

13. Stewart Copeland (The Police)

I often go back to listen to songs by The Police just to hear Stewart Copeland’s drumming. There are no other rock drummers who took more risks in a power trio or on chart-topping pop-rock hits than Copeland. Eccentric, but always able to serve the song, Copeland is a sensational drummer in my opinion.

14. Roger Taylor (Queen)

Queen‘s Roger Taylor always wanted to be a rock star, perhaps even more so than the flamboyant Freddie Mercury. Thankfully, his fashion style was matched by his drumming ability.

Incredibly inventive as a drummer and blessed with the ability to soulfully sing and write hit songs, Taylor is a true rock legend. I think he’s one of the top drummers ever.

15. Bernard Purdie

Many musicians are good. Few get to have a groove named after them. The “Purdie Shuffle” may have become a standard groove for modern drummers. Still, I think that Bernard Purdie’s greatest achievement can be observed by listening to many of the great songs on which he was listed as a session musician.

Perhaps, I suppose, extra points should be awarded for the one on which he might’ve played, but never got credited with some suggesting these include songs by The Beatles.

16. Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater)

In an arena where technical playing is the prime focus, Mike Portnoy became the king of prog-rock drumming. Portnoy’s training provided him not just with the ability to interpret famous rock songs perfectly, but to contribute as a songwriter to some of Dream Theater‘s finest songs.

Besides all of that, the rock community has always held him in the highest regard, and so do I.

17. Jeff Porcaro (Toto)

Toto was, essentially, a supergroup of faceless session players. And while all of the men chosen for the project possessed incredible skill, Jeff Porcaro was the leader and driving force of that band.

To like Toto is more than to simply enjoy “Rosanna” and “Africa.” Porcaro’s skilful playing dominates all of the classic hits. I think that modern drummers looking to lead a band ought to take Porcaro as an example.

18. Alex Van Halen (Van Halen)

Van Halen had two virtuoso players, if you ask me. The guitarist, Eddie, got much of the praise. But it was his brother, Alex van Halen, with whom he’d practised since they were both children, who was just as important. For fun, effervescent and technically evolved pop-metal playing, there’s little better, I think.

19. Travis Barker (blink-182)

I think that blink-182‘s Travis Barker thoroughly deserves a nod on this list. Barker turned himself into the world’s most famous modern drummer in an era where most songs heard on the radio were using drum machines. Charismatic, hard-working, and willing to collaborate with artists of all types, Barker should be recognised as one of the drumming greats.

20. Bill Bruford (Yes, King Crimson)

King Crimson‘s Bill Bruford has always been surrounded by musicians dedicated to playing the most complex, sophisticated arrangements. Because of his skill, as well as his friendly nature, Brufford became the go-to drummer for the top British progressive-rock bands of the 1970s.

However, Brufford did more than play polyrhythms on rock tracks. The musician contributed greatly to original compositions and helped keep the beat when asked to play with bands like Genesis. He is a real great, in my opinion!

21. Dave Lombardo (Slayer, Misfits)

22. Dave Grohl (Nirvana)

23. Matt Cameron (Pearl Jam, Soundgarden)

24. Joe Jordison (Slipknot)

25. Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Cactus; Beck, Bogert &Appice)

26. Steve Gadd

27. Cozy Powell (Rainbow, Black Sabbath)

28. Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Asia)

29. Vinnie Colaiuta (Sting, Joni Mitchell, Frank Zappa)

30. Terry Bozzio (U.K., Frank Zappa)

31. Phil Rudd (AC/DC)

32. Vinne Colaiuta (Sting)

33. Hal Blaine

34. Tommy Lee (Motley Crue)

35. Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden)

36. John Densmore (The Doors)

37. Clyde Stubblefield and John “Jabo” Starks (James Brown)

38. Alan White (Yes)

39. Dave Weckl

40. Jimmy Chamerlin (The Smashing Pumpkins)

41. Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle, Nine Inch Nails, Guns n’ Roses, Foo Fighters)

42. Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

43. Roger Hawkins

44. Danny Carey (Tool)

45. Kenny Jones (Faces, The Who)

46. Butch Trucks & Jaimoe (The Allman Brothers Band)

47. Michael Shrieve (Santana)

48. Joe Morello (The Dave Brubeck Quartet)

49. Tony Allen (Fela Kuti’s Africa ’70)

50. Al Jackson Jr. (Booker T. & the M.G.’s)

51. Topper Headon (The Clash)

52. Billy Cobham (Mahavisnhu Orchestra)

53. Bun E. Carlos (Cheap Trick)

54. Mike Bordin (Faith No More, Ozzy Osbourne)

55. Levon Helm (The Band)

56. Buddy Miles (Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsys, Carlos Santana)

57. Kenny Aronoff

58. Vinnie Paul (Pantera, Damageplan)

59. Chris Frantz (Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club)

60. Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters)

61. Tim “Herb” Alexander (Primus, Puscifer)

62. Max Weinberg (E Street Band)

63. Charlie Benante (Anthrax)

64. James Gadson

65. Jack DeJohnette (Pat Metheny, Bill Evans, Sonny Rollins)

66. Tony Thompson (Chic)

67. Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree)

68. Tomas Haake (Meshuggah)

69. Jon Theodore (Queens of the Stone Age, the Mars Volta, One Day as a Lion)

70. Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio)

71. John Robinson (Steve Winwood, Michael Jackson)

72. Philip Selway (Radiohead)

73. Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac)

74. Igor Cavalera (Sepultura, Cavalera Conspiracy)

75. Simon Phillips (Toto, Jeff Beck)

76. Brann Dailor (Mastodon)

77. Mario Duplantier (Gojira)

78. Peter Criss (KISS)

79. Ray Luzier (Korn)

80. Fred Below (Little Walter, Chuck Berry)

81. Mike Mangini (Dream Theater, Annihilator)

82. D.J. Fontana (Elvis Presley)

83. Tommy Aldridge (Ozzy Osbourne, Gary Moore, Thin Lizzy)

84. Carlton Barrett (Bob Marley & The Wailers)

85. Phil “Philphy Animal” Taylor (Motorhead)

86. Tony Williams (Miles Davis Quintet)

87. Steve Smith (Journey)

88. Zigaboo Modeliste (The Meters)

89. Jim Keltner

90. Earl Palmer (Little Richard, Fats Domino)

91. Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart (Grateful Dead)

92. Simon Kirke (Bad Company, Free)

93. Elvin Jones (John Coltrane Quartet)

94. Clem Burke (Blondie)

95. Steven Adler (Guns n’ Roses)

96. Cindy Blackman (Lenny Kravitz)

97. Stan Lynch (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers)

98. Frank Beard (ZZ Top)

99. Nick Mason (Pink Floyd)

100. Lars Ulrich (Metallica)

Honorable Mentions

Tico Torres (Bon Jovi)

Questlove (The Roots)

Liberty deVito (Billy Joel)

Herman Rarebell (Scorpions)

Randy Castillo (Ozzy Osbourne, Motley Crue, Dio)

Zak Starkey (Oasis, The Who)

Chris Adler (Lamb of God, Megadeth)

Larry Mullen Jr. (U2)

Thomas Wydler (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds)

Jimmy “Rev” Sullivan (Avenged Sevenfold)

Tommy Clufetos (Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper)

Nick Menza (Megadeth)

Brian Downey (Thin Lizzy)

Scott Asheton (Iggy & The Stooges)

Todd Sucherman (Styx, Brian Wilson, Spinal Tap)

Chris Mars (The Replacements)

John French (Captain Beefheart’s Magic Band)

John Dolmayan (System of a Down)

Tommy Ramone (Ramones)

Dean Castronovo (Journey)

Matt Sorum (Velvet Revolver, Guns n’ Roses, The Cult)

Meg White (The White Stripes)

Mikkey Dee (Scorpions, Motorhead)

Jack Bruno (Tina Turner)

Dave Elitch (The Mars Volta)

Eloy Casagrande (Sepultura, Slipknot)

Tiki Fullwood (Parliament Funkadelic)

George Kollias (Nile)

Mark Schulman